Congratulations, Tugg.

Back to Somebody Up There Likes Me, wasn't James Dean originally going to play the lead in this?

Thoughts on Somebody Up There Likes Me: In the first half, the cast’s jittery energy persuades that twitching mayhem may break out at any second. There’s no movie star vanity here, but pure dedication to the roles. The naturalism feels more like Elia Kazan than Robert Wise, and that’s a compliment to Wise. The first half’s direction has little fat. The second half gets bogged down in a “throw-the-fight” plot which feels shopworn. The New York commission are either naive pricks or in cahoots with the mob. Maybe because this isn’t explored is part of the problem. Wise conveys boxing’s brutality in the final fight much like in The Set-Up tomorrow. Wise’s lean direction in his earlier films make me want to see more of them. Fortunately, it looks like there are two in the Lewton set. Newman is terrific. Yes, some story aspects are predictable. But there’s much to savor in this very good movie that deserves its reputation.

So out here in the wild west again, eh Quint. If you swing into L.A., drop a line if you have a chance. Don’t lose too much $ in Vegas.